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| Multiple blasts rock government-held Syria cities, causing casualties - reports | Multiple blasts rock government-held Syria cities, causing casualties - reports |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A series of deadly explosions have rocked at least four government-held cities in Syria, including the capital, Damascus. Local media reports up to 21 people have been killed and some 50 injured in the blasts. | A series of deadly explosions have rocked at least four government-held cities in Syria, including the capital, Damascus. Local media reports up to 21 people have been killed and some 50 injured in the blasts. |
| Two explosions have rocked the highway well short of the entrance to the Syrian port-city of Tartus, western Syria, which houses a Russian naval base. | |
| “We received information about a double explosion at the entrance to the city of Tartus, on the government highway under Arzuna bridge,” RIA Novosti reports, citing local militia. | “We received information about a double explosion at the entrance to the city of Tartus, on the government highway under Arzuna bridge,” RIA Novosti reports, citing local militia. |
| Citing a source in the Tartus police command, Syria 24 reported that 11 people have been killed in the blasts and some 45 injured. | Citing a source in the Tartus police command, Syria 24 reported that 11 people have been killed in the blasts and some 45 injured. |
| The first explosion was a car bomb. The second took place when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt as people gathered to help the injured from the first incident, AFP reported citing Syrian state TV. | The first explosion was a car bomb. The second took place when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt as people gathered to help the injured from the first incident, AFP reported citing Syrian state TV. |
| Tartus is the second-largest port city in Syria. It has been used, first by the Soviet and now the Russian Navy, for years as a feeder base. The facilities have been used during Moscow's Syria campaign too - they enable provision of military supplies to the Russian contingent fighting Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL). | Tartus is the second-largest port city in Syria. It has been used, first by the Soviet and now the Russian Navy, for years as a feeder base. The facilities have been used during Moscow's Syria campaign too - they enable provision of military supplies to the Russian contingent fighting Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL). |
| READ MORE: Over 100 killed as blasts hit near Russian military bases in Syria’s Latakia province (VIDEO) | READ MORE: Over 100 killed as blasts hit near Russian military bases in Syria’s Latakia province (VIDEO) |
| After Russia withdrew most of its troops from Syria in mid-March this year, it was decided to maintain Russia’s military presence at the Tartus base, as well as at the Khmeimim Airbase, in order to observe the ceasefire arrangements in the Arab country. | After Russia withdrew most of its troops from Syria in mid-March this year, it was decided to maintain Russia’s military presence at the Tartus base, as well as at the Khmeimim Airbase, in order to observe the ceasefire arrangements in the Arab country. |
| Earlier, there have also been reports of explosions at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus, in the northeastern city of Hasakah and in the western city of Homs. | Earlier, there have also been reports of explosions at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus, in the northeastern city of Hasakah and in the western city of Homs. |
| Five people have been reported dead after a motorbike exploded at Mersho turning in Hasakah city. Three more were reportedly killed in the blast in Damascus. | Five people have been reported dead after a motorbike exploded at Mersho turning in Hasakah city. Three more were reportedly killed in the blast in Damascus. |
| Citing the governor of Homs province, AP reports that a car bomb struck a military checkpoint in Homs, killing two soldiers and injuring four others, one critically. | Citing the governor of Homs province, AP reports that a car bomb struck a military checkpoint in Homs, killing two soldiers and injuring four others, one critically. |
| The casualty figures come from Syrian media, although there is currently no official information on the death and injury tolls, or who was responsible for the explosions. | The casualty figures come from Syrian media, although there is currently no official information on the death and injury tolls, or who was responsible for the explosions. |